Tight security in place ahead of PM Modi's two-day visit to Karnataka

Security

According to the tour itinerary, the Prime Minister will reach Bengaluru on January 2 and fly to Tumakuru by a helicopter to visit Sri Siddaganga Math.

PTI

Elaborate security arrangements have been made in view of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's two-day visit to Karnataka on January 2 and 3, officials said. The Special Protection Group officials had a meeting with state government officials, especially the police regarding the security arrangements. During his stay in Tumakuru, drones will not be allowed and anybody violating the direction will face stringent action, said a notification issued by Deputy Commissioner of the district Dr Rakesh Kumar. According to the tour itinerary, the Prime Minister will reach Bengaluru on January 2 and fly to Tumakuru by a helicopter to visit Sri Siddaganga Math. Modi will later take part in the Krishi Karman Awards function at the Junior College grounds where he will address a gathering and distribute fishing equipment, a government press release said. The same evening, he will return to Bengaluru to visit the Defence Research and Development Organisation. He will stay at the Raj Bhavan. The next day, the Prime Minister will inaugurate the 107th Indian Science Congress at the Gandhi Krishi Vignana Kendra Campus at the University of Agricultural Sciences in Bengaluru, before flying to New Delhi in the afternoon. To oversee the arrangements, Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa visited Tumakuru on Tuesday and held a meeting with officials. Speaking to reporters later, Yediyurappa said Modi will reach Siddaganga Math at 2.15 p.m where he will pay his obeisance to the seer there. He will be in the town till 5.30 p.m on January 2, he added. "Later, he will take part in the Krishi Karman and Krishi Samman Awards function which about 1.5 lakh people are likely to attend. He is going to give awards to 28 progressive farmers from 21 states," said the Chief Minister. The chief ministers of Manipur and Jharkhand and the Governor of Uttarakhand will also attend the event. "It will be grand event. Since 1.5 lakh people will take part, we have made arrangements for loudspeakers and LED screens everywhere to avoid any inconvenience to the people," Yediyurappa said.

Body 2: 

from Karnataka https://ift.tt/35cAJIH
via IFTTT

Power bills in Bengaluru, 7 other Karnataka districts to go down in Jan 2020

Electricity

Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission has said that Bangalore Electricity Supply Company (Bescom) has to slash its Fuel Adjustment Charges (FAC) by more than 50%.

TNM Staff

It will be a happy new year for Bengalureans and other neighbouring districts as far as their power bill is considered as electricity charges are likely to get slashed starting from January, 2020. A recent order by the  Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC) has said that Bangalore Electricity Supply Company (Bescom) has to slash its Fuel Adjustment Charges (FAC) by more than 50%. This order will be valid from January to March. The previous FAC component was 29p/unit while now it has been made to 12 p/unit.  BESCOM facilitates electricity supply in eight districts of Karnataka – Bengaluru Urban, Bengaluru Rural, Chikkaballapura, Kolar, Davanagere, Tumakuru, Chitradurga and Ramanagara. Similar reductions have been made for areas served by other state-owned utility companies including in Mangaluru (4p/unit), Gulbarga (6p/unit) among others, The order states, “In accordance with the provisions of the KERC (Fuel Cost Adjustment Charges) Regulations, 2013 and amendments thereon, the Commission, having recognized the increase in fuel cost adjustment charges along with the increase In overall power purchase cost during the second quarter of FY20, decides to allow the ESCOMs to collect fuel cost adjustment charges per unit of sales, in all the energy bills, to be issued to their consumers, during the billing quarter from 1 January, 2020 to 31 March, 2020, at the following rates” Previously in May 2019 a hike of 33 paise per unit  in electricity prices were announced by Bangalore Electricity Supply Company (BESCOM). It meant  expenses towards electricity for households increased by 5% on average for domestic users. Bescom had sought a hike of Rs 1.01 per unit but this was faced with a lot of public opposition. There was also outrage about the frequent power outages affecting the city.  During public hearing meetings, BESCOM officials maintained that a hike was necessary to keep up with purchase and transmission costs.

Body 2: 

from Karnataka https://ift.tt/2Q9WqET
via IFTTT

The biggest crimes and scams of 2019 in Karnataka

Crime

Here are some of the crime headlines that rocked the state this year.

Alithea Stephanie Mounika

Representational image

The crimes that made waves in Karnataka this year included the gruesome murder of a model by her cab driver in the state capital to the police firing on peaceful protesters in Mangaluru. There was the case of a student’s suicide in a Bengaluru college that took many twists and turns, and the match fixing scandal in the Karnataka Premier League. Here are some of the most appalling crimes that shook Karnataka in 2019.   1. When a cab driver killed a model The murder of Pooja Singh De, 32, a model-cum-event manager from Kolkata, while on her way to the airport, allegedly by her cab driver, shocked Bengaluru in July. The model was found with head injuries and multiple stab injuries. On investigation by the police, the cab driver was caught and confessed that he had killed Pooja while trying to rob her to pay for his vehicle EMIs. When he found that the victim didn’t have much money with her, he allegedly decided to kill her and dispose of the body.  Murder of Kolkata model in Bengaluru: Ola driver arrested for crime   2. When college authorities were booked in a student’s suicide Bengaluru’s Amrita Engineering College made headlines in October when a student from the college, Sri Harsha, took his own life citing harassment by the college authorities. The college was allegedly pressuring Harsha to confess to a vandalism incident in the college, even though another person had confessed to it and had stated that Harsha was not involved. Students gathered in protest and demanded justice. Later, the police booked 10 staff members for tampering with evidence and abetment to suicide. One of the staff booked had also been named in a 2012 case of abetment to suicide in the college.  Amrita Engineering college student in Bengaluru kills self, students protest alleging harassment  Student death in Bengaluru: Students demand Amritanandamayi should address their issues  Amrita student suicide: 10 staff members booked for allegedly tampering with crime scene   3. When wild mongooses were killed for illegal paintbrushes Thousands of mongooses are killed to make brushes for artists, who believe that natural bristles hold colour better than synthetic bristles. However, the mongoose is a protected animal and killing it for fur is illegal. The Wildlife Crime Control Bureau seized 54,352 brushes made of mongoose hair and arrested 43 people across six states, including Karnataka, in connection with the crime in October.  In major drive, Wildlife Crime Control Bureau seizes illegal mongoose hair brushes   4. When a scandal broke out in the state premier league Betting in cricket is not new in India. The Chennai Super Kings team had been given a two-year suspension by the Indian Premier League (IPL) starting July 2015 for the alleged involvement of their owners in the 2013 IPL betting case. The crime seems to have moved to state-level games now. Four players from various teams of the Karnataka Premier League were held in a case of alleged betting and match fixing. The Central Crime Branch is now investigating the case.  Crime Branch probes alleged fixing in Karnataka Premier League, 4 players questioned   5. When small-time Muslim investors were defrauded to the tune of crores The IMA scam lost a politician his seat, hundreds of investors their money, and prompted the founder of the company to flee to the Gulf. TNM reported that the company’s books were cooked to show large profits, which lured investors into making large deposits into the company. However, it turned out to be nothing more than a pyramid scheme. When all was revealed, many investors took to the streets to demand the return of their money. The fact that MLA Roshan Baig’s name was brought up in the scam also resulted in him not being brought into the BJP fold when he rebelled and left the Congress.  IMA scam: Mansoor Khan accused of inflating company’s revenue to lure investors IMA scam: SIT detains K’taka Congress MLA Roshan Baig at Bengaluru airport   6. When a rape-accused ‘godman’ fled to an undisclosed location TNM broke a lot of stories on the escapades of the controversial self-styled godman and rape-accused Nithyananda in 2019. Whether it was reports on his whereabouts or the fact that he had registered a new country called ‘Kailaasa’ in his name, there was no end to the news that Nithyananda produced. His Gujarat ashram was recently razed to the ground after several allegations of child abuse, rape and fraud, especially after the mysterious death that occurred in the ashram. Meanwhile, Nithyananda is absconding and the international law enforcement community is on the lookout for him.  Where is Nithyananda? Whistleblowers say he may be in Ecuador or hiding in India Nithyananda ashram raided, managers arrested on allegations of child abuse, kidnap Wondering what rape-accused Nithyananda has been up to? He’s founded a ‘country’ While we were laughing at his videos, how Nithyananda's dangerous cult kept growing Union Home Ministry advises K'taka govt to procure red corner notice against Nithyananda   7. When activists attacked a doctor over language The Karnataka Rakshana Vedike (KRV) is infamous for its protests against Hindi imposition and its fight for Kannada in public spaces in the state. However, its activism might have gone a step too far when its members attacked a doctor in Bengaluru last month for speaking in English instead of Kannada. Charges were filed against the involved members under sections 341 (wrongful restraint), 506 (criminal intimidation), 504 (intentional insult), 149 (unlawful assembly), 353 (assault or criminal force to deter public servant), and 323 (voluntarily causing hurt).  KRV members allegedly assault Bengaluru hospital doctor for not speaking in Kannada

Body 2: 

from Karnataka https://ift.tt/37qtXAt
via IFTTT

Belagavi dispute explained: Why Karnataka and Maharashtra are fighting over one district

Explainer

The dispute between the two states over the district of Belgavi is not new and it keeps reappearing every few years. Here’s an explainer on what the dispute is.

Sanyukta Dharmadhikari

Shiv Sena leaders protest in Maharashtra

Tension and protests on both sides of the Maharashtra-Karnataka border around Belagavi over the past few days have brought back into focus the long-standing dispute between the two states over Belagavi district. On December 29, bus services from Kolhapur district in Maharashtra to Karnataka were suspended. On Sunday, Shiv Sena activists stopped the screening of a Kannada movie in Maharashtra and in Karnataka, effigies of Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray were burnt. On Monday, Karnataka Chief Minister hit out at his Maharashtra counterpart, accusing him of raking up the issue again, and maintained that 'not even an inch’ of Karnataka’s land will be given away. Every few years, this 50-year-old dispute resurfaces. What is this long-standing issue and why is it suddenly in the news again? Here’s an explainer.  The over 50-year-old dispute Belagavi is a district in Karnataka, which borders Maharashtra’s Kohlapur district and the people living in Belagavi, also known as Belgaum, comprises both Kannada and Marathi speakers.  After India became independent of the British rule, these areas around Belagavi became a part of Karnataka, when the state was formed in 1956. Belagavi disrtict marked in red (Wikimedia Commons) The area has been under dispute since then. In 1948, the Maharashtra Ekikaran Samiti (Ekikaran in Marathi means unification) was formed to push for the demands of the region to be merged with Maharashtra. The MES has been fighting for a merger of 800-odd villages in Karnataka with Maharashtra. After Belagavi was included in Karnataka, Senapati Bapat, a leader from Maharashtra, sat on a hunger strike seeking that a commission be formed to address the dispute. The state of Maharashtra then petitioned the Centre, which in 1966 constituted the Mahajan Commission led by a retired judge which in 1967 recommended that 262 villages that are under Karnataka — including Karwar and 300 other villages in Karwar, Haliyal and Supa taluks, be given to Maharashtra. However, it left the city of Belagavi, then known as Belgaum, out.  The Maharashtra government was not happy and called the report ‘illogical and biased.’ Karnataka, however, has since then sought that the commission report be implemented, but that has not happened yet. Cut to 2005 — in December, the Congress government at the Centre raked up discussions again and in 2007, the Maharashtra government moved the Supreme Court. In its petition, the Maharashtra government claimed that the Marathi speaking population in Karnataka was being sidelined and there was a feeling of ‘insecurity among them.’ Maharashtra asked that 814 villages in Belgaum, Karwar, Bidar and Gulbarga districts in Karnataka be moved under their jurisdiction since it had a majority of Marathi speaking people. That case is still being heard by the Supreme Court. In 2012, in order to reiterate its claim over Belagavi, Karnataka government inaugurated a new Assembly building, called the Suvarna Vidhana Soudha, and is now the designated location for the winter session of the legislative assembly.  The recent events Earlier this month, shortly after being sworn in as Maharashtra Chief Minister, Uddhav Thackeray appointed ministers Chhagan Bhujbal and Eknath Shinde as co-coordinators to oversee his government's efforts to expedite the case relating to the boundary dispute. The Maharashtra Ekikaran Samiti (MES) also submitted a memorandum of their demands to Uddhav Thackeray. Thackeray also recently alleged in the Maharashtra Assembly that the BJP-led central government was siding with Karnataka and was ignoring Maharashtra in the Supreme Court case over the dispute. According to reports, a few days ago, Bhimashankar Patil leader of the Karnataka Navnirman Sena, a pro-Kannada group in Karnataka, claimed that leaders of the MES should be “shot dead” on the border between the two states. Following this, members of the Shiv Sena held massive protests in several towns bordering Karnataka and had shouted slogans against Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa. They also barged into Apsara Theatre in Kolhapur and stopped the screening of Kannada film ‘Avane Srimannarayana’, starring Rakshith Shetty. They also blackened the boards which had names of restaurants written in Kannada. Protests by the Shiv Sena On Tuesday, Karnataka Chief Minister Yediyurappa accused Maharashtra Chief Minister of trying to create a rift between Marathi and Kannada people.  "Our people should maintain peace and brotherhood, there is no question of giving away even an inch of Karnataka's land. Just because someone made a statement there is no need to create confusion. I appeal to our people to maintain peace," he told the media. "It has been decided in the Mahajan report what has to go to Maharashtra and Karnataka. For political benefit the Chief Minister there is trying to create confusion. I condemn it. There is no question of giving away even an inch of land," Yediyurappa added. Meanwhile, police deployment has been increased around the border areas of Belagavi, in order to make sure that no untoward incidents take place.

Body 2: 

from Karnataka https://ift.tt/2ZIQ1DF
via IFTTT

No plan to subsidise alcohol for the poor: Karnataka Excise Minister refutes reports

Politics

H Nagesh told TNM that he had made no such statement and that his words were taken out of context.

Theja Ram

Karnataka Excise Minister H Nagesh on Tuesday denied that the state government had proposed subsidising alcohol for the poor. Nagesh's statement came soon after local media reported that the Excise Minister had said that the state government was planning to subsidise alcohol for the poor. Citing H Nagesh’s press conference on Tuesday, Local media reports claimed that the Karnataka government was hashing out several logistical issues related to the proposal to subsidise alcohol for the poor. Reports also falsely claimed that the government was mooting selling the subsidised liquor through the public distribution system. Refuting the allegations, Excise Minister H Nagesh told TNM that he had made no such statement and that his words were taken out of context. “During the press conference, one of the reporters asked me whether a proposal to subsidise alcohol was on the cards. I informed him that such a proposal was not new and that it had first been proposed during the Siddaramaiah government in 2013,” he said. The Minister said that the Excise Department officials had considered a proposal for subsidizing alcohol in 2013. However, the plan was shelved as doing so would mean that the government was encouraging people to drink more alcohol. “It would have become a public health issue. I told the media today that even though such a proposal was there, our government was not going to take any step to subsidise alcohol,” he said. Earlier in September, Minister Nagesh had been involved in a controversy after he said that the government was mulling over a proposal to deliver alcohol to homes. He had also spoken about a system of mobile liquor shops in the thandas (colonies) of Adivasi communities. The proposal stemmed from concerns over how people were travelling 10-15 km to find a liquor shop in some remote areas of the state.  Within 24 hours, the Minister had recanted his statement and had said that the government had no such proposal. “There are no such proposals (of starting mobile liquor shop and online liquor sale) before the state government. My statement has been misinterpreted,” he had said.     

Body 2: 

from Karnataka https://ift.tt/2tf3zL4
via IFTTT

Education 101: Bengaluru’s ‘School Expo’ to connect parents with education experts

Education

The event is being organised at Nimhans Convention Centre, Bengaluru for schools, educators, students and educational services to come together under one roof.

Alithea Stephanie Mounika

As a parent, have you ever wondered what the difference is between an ICSE school and a CBSE school? Or wondered which school you should send your child to? What are the options besides mainstream schools and how effective is home-schooling in India? “Bangalore Schools”, a Facebook community group, is organising a 'Schools expo' where parents can get answers to questions just like this, and more.  The Facebook group was started seven years ago by Swetha Sharan who works as a journalist. It was for parents in Bengaluru who felt that there is a need for a school review system, to know which school should send their children and what curriculum they should study. And now, an expo is being organised on January 4 and 5, 2020 at Nimhans Convention Centre for schools, educators, students and educational services to come together under one roof. Manoj Thelakkat, one of the group’s admins, says that on the group itself, there is a lot of engagement on the group, with over 83% of the members being active members of the group. There are currently over 42,000 members in the group. Swetha says, "All the admins are all parents themselves, and we keep an engaging discussion going in the community." Manoj says that the event was organised after several requests from the group. “The group members have been requesting some offline engagements, besides the social media posts that we make and discuss,” he says. Manoj adds that the group spent two years researching the types of educational expos that were being held in the city. They found that they were only 2 kinds of expos: School B2Bs (business-to-business), and admissions expos. ‘Bangalore Schools’ felt that there was a need for improvement. “We wanted all the pillars of education to come together under one platform,” says Manoj.  The expo has several groups involved: with private schools, parents, students, and educational services coming together for an exhibition, school admissions, and events. The events include ‘Hoop-ex talks’ which talks about the change-making that schools and individuals have brought about; a spelling bee, a ‘Family quiz’ of a team consisting of a parent and child, and ‘Educators speak’, a platform for teachers and principals to give a presentation on issues that are important to the field. In addition to this, there are panel discussions from people in the education sector, who will speak to parents on questions that plague all parents, like the choice of school or syllabus.  Meanwhile, the Facebook community continues to thrive. “We have done a lot of work for the school community, with our group initiating the refunding of admission fees and the removal of admission tests, both of which are illegal. Our group members are keen about the safety in school buses, reporting any infractions by bus-drivers to the group, which prompts the schools involved to take action,” Manoj added.

Body 2: 

from Karnataka https://ift.tt/2Fageli
via IFTTT

Karnataka CM asks ministers to exercise caution while speaking about Jesus statue

Politics

Sources say Chief Minister Yediyurappa has instructed his colleagues to not oppose the construction of the statue, and to only speak about any irregularities in its construction.

Theja Ram

The 114-ft Jesus statue, which Kanakapura MLA DK Shivakumar wants to build has been shrouded in controversy since he laid the foundation stone for its construction on December 25. BJP leaders have slammed DK Shivakumar accusing him of trying to consolidate a vote bank. However, this has reportedly made Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa uneasy, sources close to him say. In the cabinet meeting held on Monday, Yediyurappa’s associates say that the Chief Minister instructed his cabinet colleagues to not target Congress leader DK Shivakumar regarding the construction of the statue on religious grounds. “Yediyurappa instructed his cabinet members to avoid making comments that could hurt the Christian community. Several ministers like KS Eshwarappa have taken jibes at Shivakumar because of this issue. He has instructed the cabinet ministers to only speak about any irregularities in the construction of the statue and to not oppose the construction of a statue,” the source said. This is because Yediyurappa fears that Shivakumar could consolidate a vote bank, which is currently not antagonistic towards the BJP. “Shivakumar is trying to consolidate several vote banks so he can prove to the Congress high command that he can become the KPCC President. By making remarks against another community, the BJP would lose the opportunity to tap into that voter base,” the source said. DK Shivakumar, however, refuted claims that he was bent on getting the statue erected due to political reasons. “People had told me they wanted a statue of Jesus Christ in Harobele as there was no statue of Christ in the area. The Kumaraswamy government had sanctioned the land. I had promised that I will help and I have done my job. It is not for politics or power. One has to do some things for self-satisfaction in life,” he said.    Controversy over alleged irregularities in land allocation A controversy, however, erupted when BJP leaders claimed that the statue being built at Kapala Betta in Kanakapura is gomala land. Gomala land is government land reserved as pastures for animals. Gomala land cannot be diverted as a grant to erect statues under the Karnataka Land Revenue Act 1964. According to Section 71 of the Act, lands described in revenue records, as Devarakadu, Urduve, Gunduthop, Tankbed, Phut Kharab halla, gomala, burial grounds and such lands, which in the opinion of the Government is required for, public purpose, shall not be granted for non-agricultural purposes. Revenue Department officials say that the land was granted for erecting the statue based on the Karnataka High Court judgment in 2002. In the St Anne’s Educational Society versus the State of Karnataka, the High Court had held that gomala land does not bear the rigours of section 71 of the KLA Act. “But gomala land can be allotted only if the land to cattle ratio is more than 50%. In this case, the ratio is close to 50% and the approval should not have been given. This ratio must be strictly maintained as the pasture land is to ensure that cattle get enough fodder,” the official said. Meanwhile, Revenue Minister R Ashok on Monday said that Kapala Betta comes under the Karnataka Ministry of Environment and Forests and that the land chosen for erecting the statue is unviable. “We are not opposed to constructing the statue. We need to see on whose land the statue is coming up. I have asked the Ramanagara Deputy Commissioner to submit a report and a decision will be made soon,” he said.    

Body 2: 

from Karnataka https://ift.tt/35dKsy6
via IFTTT

With his power in K'taka Congress waning, Siddaramaiah tries to revive his position

Politics

Following Siddaramaiah’s resignation as Congress Legislature Party Leader, his detractors within the party are trying to ensure the former CM is kept out of power, say sources.

Theja Ram

The last two years have been turbulent for the Congress in Karnataka, and especially so for one of its tallest leaders – former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. From being hailed as the party’s Chief Ministerial candidate to being sidelined by his own party men, Siddaramaiah’s political career took a sharp turn after the Karnataka state Assembly election results were announced in 2018. His position within the party, insiders say, weakened considerably after the losses in the Lok Sabha elections and the bye-polls held earlier this month. Siddaramaiah’s resignation as the Congress Legislature Party Leader was also a huge sign that his detractors within the Congress were trying to desperately win the game of one-upmanship and ensure that Siddaramaiah is kept out of power. Amid this turbulence in the Congress, speculation began in Karnataka’s political circles that Siddaramaiah is pursuing other political avenues as his detractors in the Congress, are bent on sidelining him. Several of Siddaramaiah’s close confidantes say that in order for Siddaramaiah to remain relevant in state politics, he is considering several options before him. Sources also say that it is not new for Siddaramaiah to orchestrate scenarios in order to have a better bargaining chip with the high command. What are Siddaramaiah’s options? Confidantes of Siddaramaiah allege that his meeting with the BJP leaders including rebel turned BJP MLA Ramesh Jarkiholi, was a ploy to alert the Congress high command that he is considering other options to enhance his political career. Sources close to the former Chief Minister say that he wants to create a scenario to negotiate a good deal with the high command. Sources say that Siddaramaiah is threatening to move away from the Congress, if the high command does not allow him to retain power within the party. There is speculation that he is proposing to quit the party either to form a party of his own or join the Janata Dal (United), thereby eliminating his major opponents – the JD(S). “He is threatening to take away his loyalists and form a new party. This is a typical tactic Siddaramaiah uses when he wants to get something from the high command,” the source says. However, not many believe that he will actually move away from the Congress. Why does Siddaramaiah want to negotiate his position in the party? By losing his status as the most sought-after leader of the Karnataka Congress, his detractors within the party including former Deputy CM Dr G Parameshwara and former Water Resource Minister DK Shivakumar have only swooped in to claim the void that was created after Siddaramaiah resigned as the CLP leader. Party insiders say that Siddaramaiah is being sidelined as his detractors want the high command to offer a chance to other leaders to revive the party in the state. “Since he is in a position of disadvantage, he needs to negotiate a better deal or his loyalists and his son’s political careers are at stake,” the source adds. Sources say that DK Shivakumar is lobbying for the KPCC President’s post, which became vacant after Dinesh Gundu Rao’s resignation on December 9. DK Shivakumar and senior leaders like BK Harisprasad, Ramalinga Reddy, HK Patil and Shamnur Shivashankarappa are believed to have put their foot down and informed the high command that Siddaramaiah’s move to negotiate must not be entertained. “Siddaramaiah wants to get the post of Leader of Opposition and ensure that his man becomes the KPCC President. DK Shivakumar and others do not want that. DK Shivakumar has been trying to assure Siddaramaiah that both he and his son Yathindra would be comfortable accommodated in the party. The high command is unlikely to agree to Siddaramaiah’s demands,” the source says.      

Body 2: 

from Karnataka https://ift.tt/2ZDvS1I
via IFTTT

IMA scam: CBI raids two Income Tax officials, properties across Bengaluru and TN

Crime

Earlier this month, the CBI had sought sanction from the state government to prosecute two IPS officers.

TNM Staff

In another development in the probe in the Rs 4,000-crore I-Monetary Advisory (IMA) ponzi scam in Bengaluru, the Central Bureau of Investigation on Monday raided two senior Income Tax sleuths in Bengaluru. Three other middlemen associated with the company were also probed, officials said. The two I-T officers who were probed worked as the Deputy Commissioner of Income Tax (DCIT) and Assistance Commissioner of Income Tax (ACIT) in the Income Tax Department (Investigation Wing/Assessment Wing), Bengaluru when the scam broke, reported The Hindu. According to reports, the raids were carried out in eight locations across Karnataka and neighbouring Tamil Nadu. Five of the locations were in Bengaluru and the other three in Karwar, Hosur and Salem. A press release issued by the central probe agency has found that these two officials had earlier carried out a search of IMA’s accounts in 2017. The CBI is probing an allegation that the two officers failed to take coercive action against the deduction of TDS on interest payments and the huge cash payment entries in the books of accounts of IMA group. Further, it is alleged that the accounts of IMA which was frozen following the I-T search were unfrozen after they were allegedly paid huge bribes. This development comes after the CBI, earlier this month, had sought the sanction to prosecute six Karnataka officials, including two senior IPS officers posted in the state, in connection with the case.  The CBI has written to the Karnataka government seeking a nod for prosecuting IPS officers Hemant Nimbalkar of 1998 batch and Ajay Hilori of 2008 batch. The residences of the two officers were also searched by the CBI earlier this year.  While Nimbalkar was posted as the then Inspector General of Economic Offences, Hilori was the then Deputy Commissioner of East Bengaluru, the sources said. Besides, the CBI has also sought similar sanction for the then Deputy Superintendent of Police (CID) EB Sridhara, Inspector and SHO Commercial Street Police Station M Ramesh and sub-inspector of the station P Gowrishankar and the then Assistant Commissioner Bengaluru North Sub Division LC Nagaraj. Sridhara was the inquiry officer and Hemant Nimbalkar was the supervisory officer in the enquiry done by CID EOW (Economic offences wing) into activities of IMA group entities, CBI officials had previously said.

Body 2: 

from Karnataka https://ift.tt/2F4XZ0s
via IFTTT

Starting from Dec 31 night, BMTC will run additional metro feeder buses

Transport

These new bus services will be in addition to the 143 night services that the BMTC already operates.

TNM Staff

The Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC), the state-run bus company, will run extra metro feeder buses starting from midnight of the New Year's Eve for all the days of the week.   BMTC officials said this would facilitate comfortable, reliable and affordable transport facility in and around Bengaluru city for those working till late hours. These new bus services will be in addition to the 143 night services that the BMTC already operates. On Saturday, the  Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited said it will run metro service till 2 am only for New Year’s Day. Earlier, City Police Commissioner Bhaskar Rao told the media that he had requested both BMRCL and BMTC to extend their service timings for those who gather in public places for the New Year celebrations. New Year’s Eve celebrations at Bengaluru’s MG Road and Brigade Road attract thousands of people from across the city every year.  Other than extended bus and metro services, police have taken a number of safety measures like deploying additional CCTV cameras, drones, watch towers and LED screens in specific areas. Tents with two or three police officers, including a woman police officer, will also be set up so that the public can report any case of harassment or crime easily. These tents will be coming up in areas in Bengaluru’s Central Business District.  Further, Deputy Commissioners of Police will be doing the rounds on New Year’s Eve. Drunk driving checks will also be conducted in the city. Personnel from Civil Defence, City Armed Reserve Police and Karnataka State Reserve Police will also be deployed in the city. 

Body 2: 

from Karnataka https://ift.tt/2Q9zq8U
via IFTTT

‘No one forced them to attend Sunburn’: Goa Min on 3 deaths at music fest

Deaths

While two tourists from Andhra Pradesh died on Friday during the Sunburn festival, one person from Bengaluru collapsed and died on Sunday.

PTI

Image for representation

Even as opposition parties hit out at the Goa government over the death of three tourists after collapsing at the Sunburn Electronic Dance Music (EDM) Festival, state Culture Minister Govind Gawade on Monday said no one forced people to attend the event. The Congress alleged that drugs were "openly sold" at the venue and demanded that permission for the EDM festival be revoked and an inquiry be conducted. The Goa Forward Party (GFP) sought a CBI probe in the deaths. Three tourists died in the last three days after collapsing at the festival venue at Vagator beach in North Goa district. Asked about criticism of the government for allowing the event in the state, Gawade said, "The government is not forcing the youth to go and attend the Sunburn festival. They go on their own. No one is forced to go there." The three-day Sunburn festival concluded on Sunday. On Friday, two tourists from Andhra Pradesh collapsed after feeling uneasy while standing outside the festival venue. They were taken to a hospital where doctors declared them dead, police said. The postmortem was conducted and the opinion on the cause of death was reserved as the viscera was sent for further forensic examination, they said. On Sunday night, another tourist from Bengaluru complained of easiness at the venue and later died, minutes after being rushed to a hospital, they said. Gawade said the government was not responsible for such a massive crowd at the festival. "We are not distributing any passes to anyone. It is the music enthusiasts who like to go there, they do it out of their own wish," the minister said. He said the state government has always been promoting local culture and music through different events. "When we speak of local culture, we also include western culture, which is taught in government-run institutions like the Kala Academy," Gawade said. State Tourism Minister Manohar Ajgaonkar could not be contacted for his comments. Goa Pradesh Youth Congress Committee president Varad Mardolkar alleged that drugs were "openly sold" at the event. "Police are not taking action against the culprits," he said. The Congress on Sunday sought the intervention of Superintendent of Police (North) Utkarsh Prasoon in the matter and demanded that permission for the festival be cancelled. "If the police had paid heed to our request, the third death could have been avoided," Mardolkar said. GFP vice president Durgadas Kamat demanded a CBI probe into the deaths. "The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) should take over the probe into the cause of deaths at the EDM festival and the sudden increase of drugs everywhere in the state," he said. Festival organisers were not available for comment.  

Body 2: 

from Karnataka https://ift.tt/2SDHssf
via IFTTT

Women in Karnataka to be allowed to work night shifts at shops, cabinet clears new law

Policy

The Karnataka Shops and Commercial Establishment (Amendment) Bill, 2019, includes provisions for free transport facilities and adequate security guards.

PTI

Karnataka cabinet on Monday approved a bill to amend an act aimed at allowing women employees to work during night in entities covered by the Shops and Commercial Establishments Act. The cabinet approved the Karnataka Shops and Commercial Establishment (Amendment) Bill, 2019 that will amend the act of 1961, specifying certain conditions, including provision of transport facilities free of cost and deployment of adequate security guards. Briefing reporters on the cabinet decisions, Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister J C Madhuswamy said there was no opportunity for women to work in the entities, which includes offices and premises of any trade or business, in the night shifts so far. "In order to provide opportunity for them we have decided to amend the act by defining what sort of protection should be provided for them for working in night," he said. Under the act, 'shops' means any premises where any trade or business is carried on or where services are rendered to customers and includes offices, storerooms, godowns, warehouses, used in such connection with such trade or business, but does not include a commercial establishment or a shop attached to a factory. The bill is likely to be brought in the assembly during the first session of 2020 to be held in February. The latest move comes a month after the state government issued a notification allowing women to work in night shifts (7 pm to 6 am) in all factories registered under the Factories Act. The amendment bill states that a woman employee who is so willing may be allowed to work during night subject to conditions including willingness to be obtained in writing, provision of transport facilities by the establishment from the residence of the woman employee to the workplace and back free of cost and with adequate security. Also, such transport facility shall have GPS for tracking and monitoring. Besides, adequate number of security guards,sufficient rest rooms and dispensary facility among others should be provided during the night shift for the benefit of the women employees, it said. The establishment shall bear the cost of creche obtained by the women employees from voluntary or other organisations and conduct pre-employment screening of the antecedents of all drivers employed. An App in mobile may be developed and adopted by the establishment through which the women employee can contact the concerned at the time of emergency, it added.

Body 2: 

from Karnataka https://ift.tt/36bJe83
via IFTTT

ISRO scientist plays flute at Parliamentary panel meet in Bengaluru, video goes viral

ISRO

The video of the flute performance was shared on Twitter by Congress Rajya Sabha MP Jairam Ramesh

IANS

Screengrab

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is admired for sending satellites and rockets into the space but a senior scientist from the premier organisation has enthralled the Internet by playing the flute at the end of a meeting with a Parlaimentary panel. The video of the flute performance was shared on Twitter by Congress Rajya Sabha MP Jairam Ramesh, who is a member of the Parliamentary Standing Committee. The Parliamentary Standing Committee ended it's last meeting at ISRO with a flute performance by the Director of its Satellite Centre in Bengaluru, P. Kunhikrishnan, who is also a professional flute player! He played the evergreen Vatapi Ganapatim Bhaje. Sharing a snippet. pic.twitter.com/AkwwPh9oZY — Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) December 29, 2019 P Kunhikrishnan, Director of U R Rao Satellite Centre in Bengaluru, concluded the last meeting of the Parliamentary Standing Committee at ISRO by playing the flute. In his twitter post, Ramesh said that Kunhikrishnan is a professional flute player. ISRO Chief K Sivan, who was present at the meeting, is also seen in the video. "The Parliamentary Standing Committee ended its last meeting at ISRO with a flute performance by the Director of its Satellite Centre in Bengaluru, P. Kunhikrishnan, who is also a professional flute player. He played the evergreen Vatapi Ganapatim Bhaje. Sharing a snippet", said Jairam Ramesh in a tweet. The video of the flute performance by a senior ISRO scientist has become an internet rage with more than 28,000 views. In the comments section of the post, netizens applauded Kunhikrishnan's skill. "Awesome..this is what makes us feel great about these scientists apart from the scientific achievements..kudos. Also, this is the learning for upcoming talents at ISRO to take this institution to new heights," a netizen said.  

Body 2: 

from Karnataka https://ift.tt/2tYIPaG
via IFTTT

How the lotus bloomed again: Dramatic political turns in Karnataka in 2019

Politics

From BS Yediyurappa wresting power from the Congress-JD(S) coalition, to DK Shivakumar getting arrested, here is a list of the major political events of 2019.

Theja Ram

It’s been a politically-charged year in Karnataka’s politics, and we have witnessed several action-packed turns. From BS Yediyurappa setting a record for the shortest stint as a Chief Minister to storming back to power with a vengeance; from DK Shivakumar’s rise as a strong face in the Congress to his fall after the Enforcement Directorate arrested him, this year has seen several dramatic events transpire. As the year comes to an end, TNM brings you a list of the major political events of 2019 that will go down in Karnataka’s history. When Yediyurappa toppled the Congress-JD(S) coalition After Yediyurappa’s resignation in 2018, the Congress and JD(S) – two strange bedfellows – formed an alliance and came to power. Since day one, efforts were on to poach the coalition’s legislators and finally, in July 2019, the BJP succeeded. Yediyurappa had suffered for a year after being labeled the two-day-Chief Minister. Yediyurappa, who had to resign in May 2018 two days after he took oath, swore to come back to power. A year of coaxing and wooing the Congress and JD(S) MLAs paid off and finally in July, 17 Congress and JD(S) leaders resigned as MLAs and flew to a luxury hotel in Mumbai. They were cooped up here until the motion of confidence brought down the Congress-JD(S) coalition. Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy was forced to resign from his post when the coalition failed to prove majority in the Assembly. BJP’s victory in Lok Sabha elections By January 2019, the Congress and JD(S) coalition partners were indulging in massive infighting. Their decision to go to polls as an alliance too backfired. Traditionally considered rivals in the region, their respective cadre were unwilling to help each other to win the polls. The BJP procured a massive victory by winning 25 out of the 28 parliamentary seats from Karnataka. The Congress won two seats and the JD(S) won none. This victory was also crucial as the party broke into fortresses of the Congress and JD(S) in the Old Mysuru region. Veterans were defeated and the BJP’s victory proved that the traditional caste-based calculations did not work in the state anymore as it had managed to break into crucial votebanks of the Congress and JD(S). HD Deve Gowda’s defeat Former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda suffered a massive defeat in the Tumkur Lok Sabha segment. After winning as an MLA six times and as an MP six times, 87-year-old HD Deve Gowda defeat was seen as a big loss of face. And what is most ironic is that Deve Gowda had vacated his safe seat for his grandson, to further the dynasty in the state. Deve Gowda had to give up his home constituency -- Hassan to his grandson Prajwal Revanna. The veteran politician was mulling over contesting from Mandya. However, his other grandson Nikhil was fielded from the segment as it is a stronghold of the JD(S). While Prajwal won from his seat, Nikhil lost. The victory in the bye-elections The bye-elections held on December 5, was a litmus test for the BJP in Karnataka. A defeat would mean that Yediyurappa’s efforts in poaching and toppling the coalition government was all for naught. The BJP won 12 out of the 15 segments that went to polls. These were necessitated as 17 coalition rebels had resigned. While turncoats in Haryana and Maharashtra had suffered a massive defeat, the Congress in Karnataka expected to win at least seven seats, but suffered a massive defeat. Yediyurappa secured a simple majority in the assembly. Ahead of the polls, several leaders in the BJP wanted Yediyurappa out, stating that was getting too old. The successive victories in Lok Sabha and the bye-polls ensured his position within the party as the decision-maker. DK Shivakumar’s arrest in the money laundering case The Enforcement Directorate arrested former Water Resources Minister DK Shivakumar in connection with the Rs 8.83 crore money laundering case on September 3. The Enforcement Directorate’s probe began after the Income Tax Department filed a chargesheet alleging money laundering. The I-T case was registered after sleuths found Rs 8.83 crore cash during search and seizure operations in August 2017 at various of his properties in New Delhi, including his residence in Safdarjung Enclave.  This was a massive setback for the Congress as Shivakumar, known to be a troubleshooter, was in trouble himself. Whilst the party cried vendetta by the BJP, protests by Congress erupted across the state against his arrest. Shivakumar was denied bail and was in Delhi’s Tihar jail for almost two months. He was granted bail by the Delhi high Court on October 23. He received a grand welcome in Bengaluru up on his return on October 26. 

Body 2: 

from Karnataka https://ift.tt/35aMP51
via IFTTT

Bengaluru man dies in Goa's Sunburn music fest

Death

On Friday, two tourists from Andhra Pradesh collapsed after feeling uneasy while standing outside the festival venue.

PTI

A tourist, who arrived in Goa to participate in the Sunburn Electronic Dance Music (EDM) Festival, died after feeling uneasy near the event venue, police said on Monday. With this, the total number of tourist deaths in last three days after collapsing at the EDM festival venue has gone up to three. On Sunday night, a visitor from Bengaluru, Sandip Kotta, complained of "extreme uneasiness" at the festival venue at Vagatore beach in North Goa district, a senior police official said. "An ambulance was called at the venue and he was rushed to a state-run hospital in Mapusa town where he died minutes after admission," he said, adding that the man's age was not yet known. On Friday, two tourists from Andhra Pradesh collapsed after feeling uneasy while standing outside the festival venue. They were taken to a hospital where doctors declared them dead, police earlier said. Goa BJP leader Rajendra Arlekar on Monday wondered whether such festivals were required for promotion of tourism. "Do we really need events like Sunburn to promote tourism? Can we not redefine our priorities in this sector? Let's ponder...," the former minister tweeted. The three-day Sunburn festival concluded on Sunday with lakhs of music lovers attending it. The Congress on Sunday claimed drug overdose could be the reason for the death of two tourists from Andhra Pradesh at the Sunburn festival, and it indicated sale of narcotics at the venue. The state police, however, said no case of drug use or sale has been detected at the festival venue. The Congress demanded that permission for the annual EDM festival be revoked and an inquiry be conducted.  

Body 2: 

from Karnataka https://ift.tt/2SAHiC5
via IFTTT

Karnataka man accused of child rape murdered, allegedly by survivor's kin

Crime

The 55-year-old man, who was thrashed by the family members after he was caught in the act, was at a government hospital when he was attacked.

TNM Staff

A 55-year-old man accused of raping an 11-year-old girl was allegedly murdered by one of the girl’s cousins in Karnataka’s Navalgund. The incident took place on Sunday afternoon at a hospital in Navalgund, where both the minor and the accused were admitted. On Friday afternoon, residents of Navalgund allegedly saw 55-year-old Hakusaab Nadaf take the 11-year-old into his clothing store and alerted her parents. According to Dharwad SP Vartika Katiyar, the girl’s father and two other relatives rushed to the store and caught Hakusaab with the girl. A medical examination confirmed that the girl was raped.  Police say that Hakusaab was tied to an electric pole and thrashed up by the girl’s father and two others, while residents of the area yelled abuses at him. “He sustained minor injuries. After they beat him up, the girl’s relatives then handed him over to the police. A rape case was registered against Hakusaab and also under POCSO Act at the Navalgund police station,” SP Vartika said.  Since Hakusaab had sustained minor injuries on his chin, the police took him to the Navalgund Government Hospital for treatment.  SP Vartika says he was at the hospital on Sunday morning as there were some legal formalities to be completed, which is when he was allegedly attacked. “Since it is a medico-legal case, certain formalities needed to be completed as the man was injured. There are certain thing that needs to be done if the accused is not injured in police custody. He was to be discharged on Sunday evening,” she said. However, at around 3.30 pm on Sunday, the girl’s cousin, a 26-year-old man from Navalgund, allegedly barged into the hospital. He allegedly pushed the police constable stationed next to Hakusaab’s bed. He then stabbed Hakusaab thrice – once on his chest and twice on his stomach. “The police constable tried to stop him but he had already stabbed Hakusaab. The girl’s cousin was detained and taken into police custody,” SP Vartika said. Hakusaab was taken to KIMS Hospital in Hubballi as the injuries he sustained were serious. Doctors at KIMS said that Hakusaab was losing a lot of blood quickly and by the time the police could arrange for more blood, he had succumbed to his injuries. “There was not enough blood for his blood type in the hospital and though the police took just 15 minutes or so to arrange for the blood, by then, Hakusaab had already died,” SP Vartika said. The girl’s cousin has been arrested and booked under Section 302 (murder) and 356 (assault or criminal force) of the IPC.  The rape survivor, meanwhile, is out of danger and is currently with her parents.     

Body 2: 

from Karnataka https://ift.tt/2Qu0nTK
via IFTTT

Mangaluru cops book 4 social media users alleging they incited communal hatred

CAA

In two out of the five cases, police have booked the accused for sedition as well.

Theja Ram

The Mangaluru Cyber Crime Police have registered five different cases against people in the region for allegedly putting up posts on social media that “incite communal hatred”. Police officials issued summons on Monday to multiple persons from Dakshina Kannada district stating that an FIR has been registered against them for inciting communal hatred. In two cases, police have booked the accused for sedition as well. Among those accused are Mohammed Irfan AS, a resident of Azad Nagar in Bantwal. According to the Mangaluru North police, who registered the case against Mohammed Irfan, the accused allegedly created an image with inflammatory text on it. “We tried implementing Ambedkar’s pen but the Sangh did not give in. Now, we will hold up Tipu’s sword,” the message read, according to Pradeep TR, a police officer attached to the station. Mohammed Irfan allegedly sent this image with the message on several WhatsApp groups. He has been booked under section 153A (Promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion), 114 (abettor present when crime occurs), 120B (criminal conspiracy) and 34 (common intention) of the IPC. The police also registered three FIRs against the administrator of the Facebook group ‘Idu Namma Dhvani’. All three cases have been registered at the Mangaluru North police station. According to Mangaluru Cyber Crime Inspector Girish, the administrator of the group, who remains unidentified, allegedly called the police and issued death threats. The person also allegedly allowed posts that called for violence against the police. “In the post on Idu Namma Dhvani, there were messages that said, ‘We cannot tolerate this any longer. It is not a crime it seems to fire bullets at people and resort to lathi charge. Before the sanghi police take more lives, chase them and assault them’,” the FIR registered at Mangaluru North police station reads. Another case has been registered against the administrator of the group and against a Mangaluru resident named Sahil Bedra. The police say that the accused allegedly allowed a post which said that members of the RSS had blended in with the police force and were resorting to lathi charge. “‘They are sanghis without uniforms who hold lathis and have blended in to look like the police. If you see such sanghis come with the police, pelt stones at them’. These kinds of messages are inflammatory,” the FIR reads. The admin and Sahil have been booked under sections 153A (Promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion), 124A (sedition), 114 (abettor present when crime occurs), 120B (criminal conspiracy) and 34 (common intention) of the IPC. Anees BK and the administrator of Idu Namma Dhvani have been booked for allegedly threatening a police officer. Anees allegedly called for an assault on the police officer whose video had gone viral on December 20, a day after anti-CAA protests erupted in Mangaluru. The police officer could be heard saying, “We fired so many bullets and yet no one died”. Anees allegedly posted on the group, calling for assault against the said police official. Anees and the admin have been booked under sections 153A (promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion), 506 (criminal intimidation), 507 (criminal intimidation by anonymous message), 120B (criminal conspiracy) and 34 (common intention) of the IPC. Inspector Girish said that the police are on the look-out for the suspects and arrests would be made after questioning them. “We are currently trying to track them down. Once we do and interrogate them, we will arrest them,” he said. Mangaluru Police Commissioner PS Harsha said that a team of cyber crime sleuths have been keeping an eye on those allegedly spreading messages to disturb peace. “Action against miscreants spreading communal hatred on social media underway in a major way. A dedicated team of cyber experts are keeping a hawk’s eye on anyone fomenting communal disharmony anywhere on the internet,” he tweeted. Action against miscreants spreading communal hatred on social media underway in a major way.. A dedicated team of cyber experts are keeping a hawk's eye on anyone fomenting communal disharmony anywhere on the internet. https://t.co/DHkNfpSvht — Harsha IPS CP Mangaluru City (@compolmlr) December 29, 2019 The cases have been registered after 12 persons were arrested in connection with the protests that erupted in Mangaluru on December 19. Police had resorted to firing at protesters, killing two people. Police had also barged into Highland Hospital and thrown tear gas shells in the lobby and parking lot. They had also beaten people with lathis in the ICU.    

Body 2: 

from Karnataka https://ift.tt/2ZLpwOd
via IFTTT

7,000 security personnel deployed in Bengaluru on New Year's Eve: Commissioner Rao

Celebration

"As anti-social elements and miscreants take advantage of the people gathering in public places on such occasions, girls or women should be careful about their safety and security," asserted Bhaskar Rao.

IANS

About 7,000 security personnel would be vigilant on the streets across this tech hub on Tuesday night to rein in New Year's Eve revellers and prevent untoward incidents, a top police official said on Monday. "About 7,000 police personnel will be on extra vigil across the city to ensure peaceful New Year eve celebration and safety of the revellers from Tuesday evening to Wednesday morning," Bengaluru Police Commissioner Bhaskar Rao said in a statement in Bengaluru. Besides heavy police deployment, CCTVs and drones were being installed in the city's central business district, especially on M.G. Road and Brigade Road to monitor thousands of revellers ushering in the New Year happily and peacefully. "Traffic will be regulated and parking of vehicles, including two-wheelers will be banned on the main streets in the city centre from 8 p.m. on December 31 to 6 a.m. on January 1 to prevent jams and ensure better vehicular movement," Rao said in a statement in Bengaluru. Vehicles will not be allowed on flyovers across the city from 9 p.m. on Tuesday to 6 a.m on Wednesday to avoid drunken and dangerous driving and prevent mishaps. "About 270 Hoysala patrolling vehicles will be on duty to conduct special drives for preventing drunken driving and traffic snarls as thousands of cars and bikes will be on roads for the occasion," Rao said. As drunken driving cause road mishaps leading to fatal injuries, Rao warned motorists and two-wheeler riders of filing criminal cases against offenders under section 279 of the IPC (Indian Penal Code) for rash or negligent driving endangering life. Rao has also advised girls and women to be vigilant and ensure their safety if going out alone or in groups. "As anti-social elements and miscreants take advantage of the people gathering in public places on such occasions, girls or women should be careful about their safety and security and avoid interacting with strangers who may cause harm or harass them," asserted Rao. Restaurants, eateries, pubs and bars will be allowed to remain open an extra hour till 2 a.m. of Wednesday across the city. Meanwhile, the state-run Bengaluru Metropolitan Road Transport Corporation and Bengaluru Metro Rail Corporation have decide to extend their bus and metro services up to 2 a.m. on Wednesday. "Metro rail services will be operated for every 15 minutes from 11.30 pm on Tuesday to 2 a.m. on Wednesday for commuters using public transport," the corporations said in a statement in Bengaluru.

Body 2: 

from Karnataka https://ift.tt/2Q9rVPx
via IFTTT

Protests in K’taka as Shiv Sena activists stop screening of Kannada film in Maharashtra

Protest

Shiv Sena activists barged into Apsara Theatre in Kolhapur and stopped the screening of Kannada film Avane Srimannarayana, starring Rakshith Shetty.

TNM Staff

Kagwad, a town in Karnataka located next to the Maharashtra-Karnataka border, witnessed a showdown between the Karnataka Rakshana Vedike and the Shiv Sena on Saturday afternoon. In Kagwad which is located in Belagavi district, members of the pro-Kannada organization burnt the effigy of Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray. In Vaishala, a village adjacent to Kagwad, but located in Maharashtra, too witnessed protests as Shiv Sena activists burnt the red and yellow flag, which symbolizes the pro-Kannada movement, and shouted slogans against Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa. The recent protests mark a fresh round in the long-standing feud between pro-Kannada activists and members of the Maharashtra Ekikaran Samiti, which is an organisation based in Maharashtra that is pushing for Belagavi, which has a lot of Marathi speaking population, to become a part of Maharashtra. Pro-Kannada activists have vehemently opposed this stance. The events that led to the showdown A fresh controversy erupted on December 17, when Union Minister of Railways and MP from Belagavi, Suresh Angadi, said that anti-CAA and NRC protesters, who vandalise railway property must be ‘shot at sight’. “Stringent action will be taken against those who damage railway property,” Suresh Angadi had said. When asked what “stringent action” means, Suresh Angadi had said, “It means to shoot at sight”. Angered by Suresh Angadi’s statement, Karnataka Navanirmana Sena’s state President Bhimashankar Patil had on December 26 questioned why Suresh Angadi had remained silent when members of the MES had destroyed public property in Karnataka over the Belagavi dispute. “Suresh Angadi won elections because he favours pro-Maharashtrians. He stood by them when they protested for not allowing them to hoist the saffron flag outside the Belagavi City Corporation. He did not say anything when they torched government offices, mixed poison in the Rakaskopp dam, but now he is talking about gunning down people who damage public property,” Bhimashankar Patil had said. In response, members of Shiv Sena held massive protests in several towns bordering Karnataka and had shouted slogans against Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa. The state transport services between Karnataka and Maharashtra was stopped on Friday and Saturday. Bus services were resumed only on Sunday evening. The showdown On Sunday afternoon, members of the Shiv Sena began to blacken the name boards of restaurants and commercial establishments, that were written in Kannada, in Maharashtra’s Kolhapur, which borders Belagavi in Karnataka. The situation turned worse when Shiv Sena activists barged into Apsara Theatre in Kolhapur and stopped the screening of Kannada film Avane Srimannarayana, starring Rakshith Shetty. The first show of the film had already begun when Shiv Sena activists forced the theatre managers to stop the screening. A hoarding of the movie was brought down and the theatre was locked down. Angered by this, the members of the Karnataka Rakshana Vedike decided to hold protests in Kagwad. KRV activists shouted slogans against Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray and burnt his effigy. They also shouted slogans against Shiv Sena and MES, stating that they were trying to divide Karnataka and its people. In response, Shiv Sena activists held protests in Vaishala village, which is located in Maharashtra’s border adjacent to Kagwad. They burnt the red and yellow flag and shouted slogans against CM BS Yediyurappa. The protests went on for two hours after which police intervened and asked them to disperse. “Shiv Sena has burnt the flag symbolizing Kannada language. They have been creating an atmosphere of fear in Belagavi. If they continue this, we will intensify our protest,” said KRV’s Kagwad President Chetan Patil. Read: Make Belagavi part of Maharashra: Protests erupt in district on Karnataka Rajyotsava    

Body 2: 

from Karnataka https://ift.tt/37pwb2P
via IFTTT

12 held for anti-CAA protests in Mangaluru, all natives of Dakshina Kannada and Udupi

CAA

The pattern of the arrests so far contradicts claims that people from Kerala instigated the violence in Mangaluru.

Prajwal Bhat

  The Mangaluru City Police confirmed that 12 people were arrested for their role in the protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) in the city on December 19. During the protests, police firing killed two people prompting a curfew and a shutdown of mobile internet services for 48 hours in the Dakshina Kannada district. Ten days after the incident, the identities of 12 people who were arrested have come to light. All 12 people arrested are Muslim men from Udupi and Dakshina Kannada districts, and are aged between 20 and 32.  Mohammed Azhar (22) from Manjanade, Thanjil (20) from Thokottu, Aryan (30) from BC Road, Naajim (24) from Bantwal, Ashiq (21) from Shirva, Anwar Hussain (23) from Bajpe, Mohammed Iqbal (27) and Mohammed Farooq (32) from Adyar, Abdul Hafeez (20) from Panjimogaru, Mohammed Fayaz (27) and Khalandar Bhasha (30) from Kaavoor, and Nasseruddin (32) from Kunjathbail, were arrested on various charges that include rioting, grievously hurting a civil servant and attempt to murder. Ten arrested people are from suburban areas in Mangaluru. Naajim is from Bantwal in Dakshina Kannada district and Ashiq is from Shirva in Udupi district. They were booked in Mangaluru North (Bunder) and Mangaluru South (Pandeshwar) police stations in the city for allegedly taking part in violent protests. The Mangaluru City Police has said that more arrests will be made based on the evidence collected from the protests.  The pattern of the arrests so far contradicts claims that people from Kerala instigated the violence in Mangaluru. Earlier, Udupi-Chikkamagaluru MP Shoba Karandlaje, speaking at a press conference at the Circuit House in Mangaluru, on December 21 said that people from Kerala had instigated the violent protests in Mangaluru. “For the first time in Mangaluru, either students or youths from Kerala have caused violence by covering their faces. Locals here are saying youths from Kerala had come to protest. Popular Front of India (PFI) and Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) activists wanted to do this (protests) in Mangaluru. We have to find out who came from outside and instigated violence here,” she said. TNM spoke to family members of some of the people arrested by the police who said that the police targeted and arrested innocent people found in and around Bunder, the site of the police firing, on December 19.   “My son had gone to shop for a festival. He had made purchases in shops near Bunder to decorate the streets of our village for the festival. When the protests began, he lost his bag which had all the things he had bought. He was caught by the police standing on the street because he was unfamiliar with Mangaluru city,” Farooq, father of Ashiq from Shirva told TNM. Ashiq is now charged with rioting. Similarly, Abdul Hafeez’s family maintained that he was merely waiting by his sticker shop in Bunder, which he had just closed down for the day when he was arrested.  The two victims of police shooting, Abdul Jaleel and Nausheen, too were booked for rioting at the Mangaluru North (Bunder) police station. They were named as accused number 3 and accused number 8 respectively in the FIR registered under multiple sections of the Indian Penal Code. Forty three others from different parts of Mangaluru were also named in the FIR.  Police officials in Mangaluru said that Abdul Jaleel was found with a handkerchief tied to his face, a sign that he was part of violent protests. However, Abdul’s family members say that he tied a handkerchief to protect himself from tear gas and that he was looking to shift his children away from the violence when he was shot in the eye by bullets fired by the police.  “Jaleel, my uncle, was not part of the agitation and not part of any organisation. He was still targeted and killed by some police officer. We are not asking for any compensation but asking for justice to be done,” Mohammed Nazeer, Jaleel’sAbdul’s relative said.   The government had initially planned to give the families of the victim a sum of Rs 10 lakh each, as compensation to the families of the victims. However this was withdrawn pending the investigation of the case. The state government is also considering a plan to collect money from protesters to pay for the damages caused to public property.   

Body 2: 

from Karnataka https://ift.tt/2MFQEc5
via IFTTT

B'luru cops book 5 govt employees for allegedly faking caste certificates for jobs

Crime

Several complaints were filed with the Directorate of Civil Rights Enforcement (DCRE) against the five accused earlier this year.

TNM Staff

The Bengaluru police have booked five government employees, including a police constable, for submitting fake caste certificates in order to procure jobs. Several complaints were filed against the five accused with the Directorate of Civil Rights Enforcement (DCRE) earlier this year. An internal investigation allegedly revealed that the five employees had submitted fake certificates while joining the service, the Deccan Herald reported. An employee named Selvaraj filed a complaint with the DCRE stating that Kokila (50), an employee of Indian Telephone Industries, belongs to the Mudaliar community, but had allegedly submitted a fake caste certificate stating that she was from the Adi Dravida community, which falls under the SC category. The Bengaluru district social welfare officer had filed a complaint with the DCRE that another ITI employee Babu, who allegedly belongs to the Naidu community, had submitted a fake caste certificate that he belongs to the Adi Dravida community. Babu has been working as a driver in the ITI factory, the Hindu reported.  Inspector of Vidhana Soudha Police Station, Pradeep Kumar complained to the DCRE that constable Yoganath, attached to the same station, allegedly submitted a fake caste certificate, which stated that he belongs to the Kaniyan community. This falls under the ST category.  A senior accountant with the Accountant General’s Office, Gouri Shankar filed a complaint alleging that his colleague Puttamma, too, had faked the caste certificate. Venkatesh D, an employee of the Institute of Wood Science and Technology in Malleswaram had allegedly submitted a caste certificate stating that he belongs to the Bhovi community, whilst he allegedly belonged to the Vokkaliga community, the DH report adds. Media reports say that Inspector of DCRE, Narasimhaiah, filed a complaint with the Halasuru Gate Police Station, stating that these five employees had submitted fake caste certificates while joining the service and had prevented eligible candidates, who need jobs under the SC/ST quota from getting government jobs. The Halasuru Gate police have booked the five accused under the sections 420 (cheating), 198 (using as true a certificate known to be false) and 196 (using evidence known to be false) of the Indian Penal Code and the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Amendment Bill, 2014.    

Body 2: 

from Karnataka https://ift.tt/2SIV4Tn
via IFTTT